Abraham leads, then signs at Misano

MotoGP News
Date: 14/September/2012

Karel Abraham was the unlikely leader during Friday practice for the San Marino MotoGP round at Misano.

The Czech rider, who has scored points on just four occasions this year, went top after two sparse sessions in which only 13 of the 21 riders set a lap time due to cold, damp and windy weather.

Most of the frontrunners, including title contenders Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha) and Dani (Pedrosa) chose to remain in the pits throughout, awaiting the better weather forecast for Saturday and Sunday.

Abraham, who rides for his father’s Cardion AB Ducati team, completed a positive day with confirmation that he will remain in MotoGP for a third year in 2013.

Earlier this week Ducati had announced that the rival Pramac team would run both its satellite bikes next year.

That looked to have put the Cardion team’s future in doubt, but an agreement with Aprilia was signed at Misano that will see the team switch to ART bikes and race within the privateer CRT MotoGP category.

Abraham Jr said: “The 2012 season has regrettably been a step backwards. It’s a pity that we are finishing our co-operation with Ducati in these circumstances, but this year things haven’t been working as well as they should.

“We have been in negotiation with Aprilia for quite some time. I see it as the best possible solution.”

Team Manager Karel Abraham Sr insisted they had turned down the chance to stay with Ducati.

Abraham Sr said: “Our idea of how much development work this year’s bike needed unfortunately differed from that of Ducati. So, in spite of the fact that we had the option to continue with Ducati in 2013, we decided not to use it, and to give an opportunity to a new partner.

“Those who’ve ridden the Aprilia regard it as a high quality, reliable motorcycle, and even more importantly, the support from the Aprilia factory allows riders and mechanics from our team to participate in the development and setting up of the machine.

“For us, 2013 is going to be a year of testing and improving set up of the bike. In 2014 new technical rules will be coming into force that will move the CRT category very close to the factory bikes.”

Abraham Jr, 22, took one race victory in the Moto2 class before reaching MotoGP. Abraham’s best MotoGP race result is seventh place, in 2011.